Travel Guide to Puerto Princesa

Posted On 26,October,2016

Wondering what the city of the best destination of the world can offer? We stayed for the weekend in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Explored the city, food, destinations and also did not miss to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Subterranean River National Park (Underground River). Read through our guide, tips and some recommendations. May we inspire you too through our experiences and captures to pack up and visit Puerto Princesa. Hope this travel guide to Puerto Princesa helps you on planning your vacation!

ABOUT PUERTO PRINCESA

Puerto Princesa, a city located in the western provincial island of Palawan, Philippines, is in the midsection of Palawan Island. A tropical paradise with a bustling urban center perfect for business with leisure trips. Lush rainforests and white sand beaches are simply hours away from the city proper. Indigenous groups include the Tagbanuas and the Bataks, each group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs.

Today, the city is a popular tourist city with many beach resorts and seafood restaurants. It has been acclaimed several times as a model city in cleanliness, environmental protection and conservation, and local governance in general.

Basic Info

Capital: Poblacion (Town Proper)

Currency: Php

Timezone: +8

Language/Dialect: English

Tagalog

Cuyunon

When to visit

Dry season: December to May

Wet season: June to November

Peak season: March to May

Public Transportation

Tricycles: Yes (Primary)

Multicabs: Yes

Jeepneys: Yes

Vans: Yes

Buses: Yes

Taxi: No

Delicacies

Main: Seafoods

Dish: Crocodile sisig

Exotic Food: Tamilok

Product: Cashew products

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air

Puerto Princesa (PPIA) is Palawan's main airport. Getting there from Manila (NAIA) is convenient with multiple airlines such as Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia Zest and SkyJet Airlines that offers several flights daily. Also accessible from major cities such as Davao and Cebu City

By Ferry

2Go Travel (formerly Superferry) cruises to Puerto Princesa from Manila. The ferry trip is about 29 hours long and stops in Coron. You may check out their website for schedules 2GO Travel Schedules. Also accessible from Iloilo to Port of Puerto Princesa on the western side of the island.

WHERE TO STAY

Puerto Princesa have different accommodations options available for different types of travelers based on budget, needs and other preferences just few minutes away from the airport. There are Luxury hotels , Pension houses and Affordable Lodges. Most hotels have free Wi-Fi and connection speed varies from each hotels.

*image hosted in Princesa Garden island website, for more details click on the image

The resort centers on its Asian-themed architecture which blends in completely with the untouched beauty of nature. Ideal for fun and relaxation, where guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. With spacious suites and villas, ranging from 35 to 173 sqm.

*image hosted in Ivywall Hotel website, for more details click on the image

Located in the heart of Puerto Princesa, the Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel is a modern midscale hotel that provides the perfect base for both business and leisure travelers. With 120 guest rooms and suites all feature a contemporary Filipino design.

*image hosted in Puerto Pension website, for more details click on the image

Puerto Pension is the ideal point of arrival or departure for your trips in Palawan. Well-positioned in the heart of Puerto Princesa City, it is just 10 mins from the airport and 1.5 km from the city center and a leisurely walk to the Baywalk Seafront Promenade.

Internet access: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms

Wi-Fi in public areas

Services: Laundry service

Safety deposit boxes

Shops

Things to do: Garden

Massage

Tours

Dining: Bar

Restaurant

Room service

Coffee shop

Languages: English, Filipino

WHERE TO EAT

One of the thing we are excited about when we visit new places is the food therefore it is important for us to know where to dine and what to eat. We take notes on the most recommended dishes and specialties in Puerto Princesa because we believe that you may discover more about the place and people through their food. Top on the list are the seafood dishes, crocodile sisig and tamilok. Though we chickened out in trying the tamilok, we can say the crocodile sisig is really good. We also recommend you to experience the seafoods cooked freshly along the bay.

Kalui

Cuisine: Filipino, Seafood

Asian

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Dinner, Late Night

Ima's Gulay Bar

Cuisine: Healthy, Vegetarian

Vegan, Gluten Free

Meals: Brunch, Lunch

Meals: Dinner

Bruno's Swiss Food

Cuisine: European, Swiss

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Lunch, Dinner

WHAT TO DO

Day Tours

Aside from the City tour and Firefly watching we have experience, Puerto Princesa city, as a tropical paradise which forms part of the Philippine’s last frontier, is rich in natural resources and wonders. With white sand beaches and rainforests just hours away from the city these are few attractions and tourist destinations you can explore. Here are the various tours to try.

Highlights of the tour is the opportunity to meet some of the smallest indigenous people in the world, view some of the traditional Tribal costumes, farming implements, bows and traditional musical instruments. Tour is approximately 8 hours and around Php 5,578/person ($124)

Underground River Tour

Destination highlight is the canoe tour in to the Cave that lasts approximately 45 minutes, and takes you into the first 1.5 kilometres of the Underground River cave and the view of the Elephant Mountai, one of the locations used for Amazing Race Asia. Tour is approximately 8 hours and around Php 1,900/person ($42)

Honda Bay Island Tour

Destination highlights are the different islands at Honday Bay which includes the Luli Island, Starfish Island, Panden Island and Cowrie Island are all great for swimming and snorkeling.. Tour is approximately 6 hours and around Php 1,440/person ($32)

Road trip / Inland Tours

Known as 'City in the Forest'. There worth-seeing destinations just a few minutes away from the city and on the city itself. This can be taken by van if you join tours offered by agencies, privately if you opt to rent a car and explore the city on your own, or by tricycle, which is a famous and most affordable option for budget travelers. You'll spend half compared to taking it from tour agencies and the drivers are trained tour guides.

Firefly Watching

Located at the Sicsican River, a small paddle boat will take you around the river for around 30-45 minutes. Fireflies live in abundance amongst the mangroves and trees, which are perfectly situated along the banks of the Sicsican and Iwahig Rivers.

Irawan Eco Adventure & Zipline

Located in Zone 13, Brgy. Irawan, was regarded as one of the best geographical regions to enjoy eco adventures in the entire South East Asia. You can enjoy the 1.3 kms zipline ride, skywalk adventures and other activities

Dolphin Watching

Located at Puerto Princesa Bay, this activity is considered as a seasonal tour, which is available during the Summer months only (April – October). You can enjoy the sight of this magical creatures in the wild.

Drinks/Night Life

There are many bars just around the town. For those who seek for a quiet and relaxing drink at night after the full day of activities from the tour, here are some of our recommendations.

Itoy's Coffee Haus

Located at Rizal Ave, Puerto Princesa. This is a cool place to relax with a good ambiance. WIFI is available and an indoor-outdoor seating. A long-running coffee joint in the city that serves from breakfast to late dinner.

Kinabuch Bar Grill and Restaurant

Located at 369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa. A large open air seating good for big group gathering. A place for adventurous soul to try the exotic 'tamilok' or woodworm that can be eaten fresh or soaked in vinegar.

Tiki Restobar

Located in Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa. Nice place for a night out where you can dance along while the live band playing. A large place at the middle of the city that serves from breakfast to Late Dinner.

WHAT TO BRING

Items

Due to Puerto Princesa's tropical location and weather but mostly good year-round, we recommend to bring these items when you explore each destinations and experience the different activities.

Insect Repellent - Always bring along and apply insect repellent anywhere you go on the island. Because mosquitoes are usually found in the remote barangays or villages with dense forest areas, swamps and slow-moving rivers and lakes. It's better to prevent and avoid disease that insects may bring.

Sun screen - With the temperature that can be really hot especially on summer season, a sunscreen is recommended when you take the tours and even on the regular days walking around the city.

Medicines - You may encounter colds, stomach aches, allergies or in need of maintenance, it is best to bring your own medicines. Pharmacies are in town but your need may not be available as the supply comes from far islands or city. Also dosage in the Philippines may be lesser compared to medicines from your country.

Gears

Puerto Princesa has a bunch of sight and activities to offer. Here are our some of our recommendation of the gears you should bring, hope you won't forget this equipment on your trip.

Sunglasses - Your going in a beach, this should be number one on your list!

Good Camera - The island is full of beautiful spots and locations which are picture perfect and memories to treasure, we highly suggest to invest in a decent camera, who would want a photo in one of the best place in the world yet a blurry one or an unclear image .

Dry Bags - During your tours and activities sometimes there will be challenges along the way like waves, going inside a cave, high tides, and rain on this situation your items and equipment will highly get wet.

Aqua Shoes - In some island tours there are some sea urchins or stone fish hidden in some coral reefs, careful not to get pinned by its spines, better wear this while swimming for your protection.

Clothing

Comfortable clothing should always be considered depending on destinations. Here are some of our recommendations of what types of clothing to bring considering the weather and activities.

Swim wears - You can wear anything from bikinis to tshirts or rash guards on beaches.

Light-weight clothes - This is one way to beat the heat. The city's temperature can be too hot on day time. Light-weight clothes are preferable and if you miss to bring anything, there are shops and malls.

Rash guard - We've experienced jelly fish stings even though none are on-sight. It is best to wear long-sleeve rash guard as protection when snorkeling.

Slippers - Take the shoes off of your luggage and blend in with the locals. Slippers are comfortable when going around the town and taking island hopping tours.

Sarong - Can serve as bikini cover up for women or shawl when taking the island hopping tours. This can also act as a beach towel.

Beach towel - Also recommended when taking the island hopping tours. If you want to lessen your luggage, beach towels are available for rent on most hotels.

THE EXPERIENCE

For our Puerto Princesa City tour, we contacted the tricycle driver who approached us upon arrival on the airport. This is a better option for travelers on a budget compared to the one offered by tour agencies. The Firefly watching was also on the same day as the city tour. The Subterranean River National Park (Underground River) was packaged with our accommodation.

Coming here on Valentine's Day was a good decision and makes the day unforgettable. A different experience to expect when visiting Puerto Princesa city. We were in awe with that much dazzling and flickering fireflies around the mangroves but what we did not expect and kept us stunned the whole tour was the plankton on the water, an evidence of clean and balanced nature. Lucky to be here before the fire that causes fewer fireflies to reside.

Underground River Tour

The tour to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature was an experience worth taking. Expect the place to be touristy and the long wait because of the fame it gained world wide. It was also exciting to see monkeys and komodo dragon freely roaming around the island. Be cautious though of the monkeys, they tend to be attracted to shiny objects and can grab in an instant.

SUMMARY

Overall, It was a weekend well spent after a week of daily activities from El Nido. This is a lay back tour for the not so adventurous. Exploring the city, experiencing the hospitality of the people and tasting exquisite local foods made it more interesting and exciting.

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